Henry Theodore Johnson--Key to the Problem ([1904])

8/3/2019 Henry Theodore Johnson--Key to the Problem ([1904])

1/78

E

.Jfc8


2/78

Class E n 5PRESENTKI) ;iY


3/78


4/78


5/78


6/78


7/78

IPU ^M ^KEY TO THE PROBLEM

ORTale of a Sa.ble City

' ^y BYH. T. JOHNSON. PhD. D.D.Editor "The Christian Recorder"

Author ofDIVINE LOGOSHOW TO GET ONJOHNSON'S GEMSTUSKEGEE TALKSTHE PULPIT, PEW AND PARISHLUX GENTIS NIGRITISMISS LYNCH UNVEILED

RACE PROBLEM SERIESCHURCH PROBLEM SERIESTHE COLOR LINETHE DOLLAR MONEY

A. M. E. BOOK CONCERN-, , . ^ 631 PINK STREET,(.i-rf


8/78

fcl.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAuthor(Person)


9/78

w

^'^^


10/78

PREFACE.Whoso hath not snuffed the aroma of

southern wild flowers, or Hstened to thecarolhng of our celebrated wood choris-ters, draws upon the imagination in vainfor material out of which to weave animage which at once reflects the salientfeatures of southern rural life. How-ever, let him not imagine for a momentwho hath witnessed a mocking-bird con-cert, or been intoxicated by the poeticfragrance of bay blossoms or cape jas-mines, that he can don the toga of a south-ern bard. He needs to linger longenough in the land of Dixie to discernthe four shiftings of nature's gorgeouspanorama. He must tarry hereaboutslong enough to snatch a fringe from thegarment of meek-eyed spring; to see theopulent goddess of summer and taste ofher nectarean sweetnesses from orchard,field and garden; to behold the aurelianform of fading autumn and listen to therustle of her departing robes. Then,if time permits, with pen in hand and


11/78

Preface

optics askant, let him sketch the icvfootprints cvnd frigid countenance andcold embraces of the stern matron of win-ter. If this would-be knig-ht of the quillhas a heart for verse-making, and natureup to this time has not moved it. perhapsthe vernal sun will reach him and pierceit with his radiant daeeersTo the spacious poetic heavens of thesunny South, whence the scenes and in-cidents of our narrative obtain their birth,we hasten the gentle reader.

5


12/78

INTRODUCTORY.Says Cowper in his poem, "The

Task" :"Variety is the spice of lifeThat gives it all its flavor."

Variety might have been termed by thepoet, not the "spice of life," but the lifeitself; for where is life manifest that itis not characterized by a variety that issimply interminablewhether it be thelife of the firmament or of the sea,whetherit be on the earth or under the earth.In life seen or life unseen variety is alland in all. Indeed we have the thoughtthat it is not only by variety that life ispossible, but that by it success in the fieldof its operation is also only possible.That variety greatly furthers and hastenssuccess is perfectly demonstrable. Refer-ing to the variety of agencies alluded toby the prophet (Isa 62 : 10) to make pos-sible the return of Israel from Babylon,and not only possible, but expeditious,

6


13/78

Preface

Rawlinson says : "The speaker returnsto the period of the exile, and exhortsthe people to pass forth from Babylon andspeed on their way homeward. Some ofthem are to clear away obstacles, othersare to bring materials and construct ahighway along which the stream of emi-grants may march, while a third body re-moves such stones as might cause stumb-ling, and a fourth lifts up a standard todirect the march."And this same principle of the potency

of variety is seen in the inspired economyof our holy religion. We read (Eph. 4:II,) "x\nd he gave some to be apostles;and some prophets ; and some evangelistsand some pastors and teachers." TheCatholic Douay has it: "And he gavesome Apostles, and some Prophets, andsome Evangelists, and other some pas-tors and doctors."

Respecting this divine exhibition of avariety of forces, Henry says: "How-rich is the church that had at first sucha variety of officers, and has still such avariety of gifts!"


14/78

introduction

It is to this principle of action on thepart of God. both in nature and in revela-tionto say nothing of its constant recur-rence in the daily providences of ourlivesit is, we say, to this principle thatwe would invite the attention of all whoare laboring for the disenthrallment ofour millions, and so happily illustrated inthe life of the author of this book.

Variety of effort is the word. Varietyof thought. Variety of word. Varietyof work. Variety of method in general.Our author, we say, is a fine illustrationof all this. Is a speech to be made? Onlytouch the button. Is a lecture to be de-livered? He is there. He can give animpromptu verse, on the first asking ; andpreach a sermon full of thought. Hewrites editorials on the events of the day;and books on the more substantial dutiesof civic life. And now he essays to riseto the realm of fiction. \\'hat next? weare constrained to ask. He is the farthestfrom being a variety man, but who cansay he is not a man of the rarest intellec-tual variety? Of course, we bave no idea

5'


15/78

Introduction

of the success that may attend this lastventure, l^eing- called away to the South-west before it was possible for us to reador even glance at the manuscript. Butjudging- from the man and his past ef-forts, judging especially from the varietyof talents possessed we have every rea-son to expect success. Did not the varietyof the forces engaged bring retreating-Israel safe to Palestine? Does not thevariety of the gift's imparted still lead onthe church to victory? So with the casein hand. Surely the speaker and the lec-turer, the poet and the author, the editorand the preacher, will not fail when hecomes to write a work of fiction. None,we prophesy, will have to pay it the left-handed compliment paid to Hugh Miller'sventure as a poet : "There is not a ridic-ulous or foolish line in it."

With an earnest prayer that his forth-coming "Key to the Problem" will fit andso enable our ten millions to open thedoor of their worse than Mamertineprison and emerge into God's free sun-

9


16/78

Introduction

light of justice and fair play, we sub-scribe ourselves,

BENJ. TUCKER TANNER.2908 Diamond St, Philadelphia.

JO


17/78

KEY TO THE PROBLEM.or

A SABLE CITY,CHAPTER L

AN AWAKENED SECTION.Tlie city of Bayou, whence my narra-

tive takes its birth, is located in one ofthe flowery commonweaUhs of Dixie ina Black Belt District. A half-centuryago its inhabitants numbered a trifle morethan fifty thousand souls, forty percent, of whom were white, the rest a col-ored population of every hue from Afri-can ebony to Caucasian octoroon. Thejihenomenal growth of this Afro-Ameri-can town is seen bv a o-lance at the latestcensus findings, which place its whites atseven hundred and fifty thousand and theAfro-American variety at a quarter mil-lion more than the whites. Nor are the

11


18/78

Key To The Problem

industrial and sociological changes ofthis experimental community less marvel-ous than their stride in population, forgrowth along these lines had its tremend-ous mainspring in the march of idea>and irresistable conquests of truth. Inthe light of its present greatness, the story'of the dreams and drawbacks of the ju-venile town of a half century ago isof romantic tinge and will be read onlywith incredulous eyes. If the picture re-called should awaken the reader's doubtstouching history or humanity, the penaltyis but transient and incidental. Supposedark scenes are disclosed, each sombrecloud \vili be seen to bear a silver fringeand expel some death charged element.V\'here traile 1 caste monsters in the slimeof unreasoning hate will be traced theholy forms of vestal spirits pioneering tohigher planes. The bloody hoofs whichmark the tread of outlawry will prove butprovidential outlines to the reign of lawand justice. In the wake of war and itshydra horrors, the gentle doves of peacewill appear in flocks bearing twigs of

12


19/78

A Sable Cilythrift and amity. Instead of thorns ofdiscrimination, fir trees of equity willflourish in splendor. The solitary placesmade fearful by political and social cursesafter fiery regencation will be seentaking on new life and crowned with theverdant grandeur of unfading greatness.He who doubts the history andprophecy sketched in these pages is nofirm believer in Providence and chal-lenges the conquest and sovereignty ofeternal right.A new era dawns upon the ill-favoredpopulation of the South-land. The bap-tism of blood with which they had beendeluged for centuries, first in the form ofslavery, then followed by the fiery perse-cutions associated with their aspirationsto the rights of freedmen, had so regen-erated the erstwhile inferior race thatthey no longer looked or acted like theirformer selves, save in a most shadowyway. In evidence that the transforma-tion was not merely superficial, the verysoil seemed permeated by it and the at-mosphere felt lighter, and the fields and

13


20/78

Key To The Problem

farms wore an Eclenic aspect of beautyand loveliness on every side. From or-chard, farm and field, the golden fruitteemed in unstinted abundance. The fleecystaple that a few generations gone byswayed the sceptre of sovereignty becamenow crowded from its royal foothold byconditions less conducive to its reign. Theunfavorable conditions which had so longfettered the powers and crippled the as-pirations of the long down-trodden peo-ple had so yielded to the touch of pro-gress that not a vestige of their unsight-ly track was to be seen. Large wastesof rural territories, deserted by formergenerations, afforded prosperous seatsfor thrifty multitudes who had the wis-dom and energy to desert congested citycenters and take their chances with un-fettered nature iri quest of health and for-tune. As if in sympathy with their wiseand nobler aspirations, nature respondedfreely to the touch of her ever-faithfulbut long dwarfed subjects, and fromfields and flocks and farm, the bams,graneries and stock-yards teemed in

14


21/78

A Sable Cityplenty. No longer dependent upon op-pressive landlords, supply merchants andlienholders, the people were masters oftheir own soil, from which enough wasraised not only to maintain their familiesbut a large surplus for the market be-sides. In springtime the sceneries alongrailways, pikes and roadsides were suchas to arouse interest and emotion in thedullest observer. From the Potomac tothe Rio Grande thrift and intelligenceroamed hand in hand, while wakingnature smiled and wove her verdant man-tle for every vale and hill top. A fewmonths later and the fields in Virginiawaved broad banners of tobacco leaves,answering to the golden corn and rice ofthe Carolinas, the fruits of Florida, thecotton of Georgia, the cane of Louisiana^nd the fleecy fields of the Lone StarState.

Diversity, fertility and prosperitymarked rural conditions everywhere.The historic black belts, unchanged incontents and complexion, had so enlargedin scope and magnitude that they erri'

15


22/78

Key To The Problem

braced the major portion of Southernpopulation as their inhabitants. Thesepeople, long ago individualized for theirignorance and backwardness, had takenon the higher life, peculiar to a growingpeople. The monotonous and depressingsight of semi-civilized life no longer ex-isted. Fenceless fields, wierd-lookinglog shanties, lank and unsightly road-rigs and other exponents of a backwardcivilization, were rare exceptions, scarce-ly to be met with in a day's journey. Thisjuvenile race, the youngest offspring ofnature, had discovered the golden secretfrom their mothers' lips that nothing iswasted and with great diligence they setabout applying this truth. The fortunessquandered by their forefathers on ac-count of stupidity or impecuniosity, therank and file of them rescued and re-deemed with amazing thrift and wisdom.Race pride and mutual confidence, so sad-ly lacking in their ancestors, were nolonger drawbacks to their progress. Notonly was enterprise displayed in the formof shopkeeping, shoemaking, blacksmith-

16


23/78

A Sable Citying, undertaking-, whitewashing andwhat-not, as among the older generations,tb.e new and more vigorons descendantsenlarged their thoughts awd activitiesalong higher lines. From tenacious soilthey utilized the ordinary clay, trampledupon by their progenitors and devouredby a type of "Crackers." to compromiseindolence and appease their appetite, thisnew people built factories and manufac-tured bricks and pottery for the market.At convenient intervals of location wereto be found factories for the crushing ofrocks, the grinding of grain, the canningof fruits and vegetables, or mills for thesawing of lumber, the grinding of sugarcane and millet, the weaving of cloth, andthe manufacturing of countless articles offood and dress for personal and domesticservice.


24/78

Or Key To The Problem

CHAPTER II.A CITY OF SURE FOUNDATION.

In evidence of the intellectual andmoral transformation which took placein this formerly iinder-race, little if anytrace of the distrust of each other whichfor centuries stunted their progress wasanywhere to be discovered. Instead ofeach one relying upon his individualstrength and judgment for success inbusiness ventures, just the opposite wastrue. The larger towns of the orighialblack belt were dotted for blocks withstores, market houses and business places.In front of large stores of general mer-chandise and groceries or hardware ordry goods were signs such as "Jo^'^^s andBrown," "Adams and Sons," "Anderson,Smith and Co."The city of Mound Bayou had the

lead of the other towns of the morenoted class and its superior stand-

18


25/78

A Sable Citying- was due to this fact as well as tothe fact that its early settlers were col-ored men and women of the best char-acter and of superior intelligence and as-piration. The majority of them had re-ceived their schooling at Wilberforce,Tuskegee, Lincoln and Hampton, whileothers studied at Northern schools, orcould exhibit certificates of training in theschool of good common sense and self-acquired ability. The colony was theoutcome of the bitter oppression fromwhich the race suffered throughout theSouthland during the dawn of the twen-tieth century. The persecutions, wide-spread and intollerable, which drove theless thoughtful of the race to desert theirhomes, some going North and West,others falling a prey to sharks of the em-migration theory and taking ship forLiberia, brought the conservative andrace-loving leaders together, who, afterdue deliberation, concluded to remain inthe South and simply shift their base ofoperation. They agreed to purchase animmense area of land some distance from

19


26/78

Key To The Problemthe white man's irritating and hostilepresence and endeavor to build up amodel community for themselves. Acharter from the legislature was grantedthe promoters of the unusual venture andin less than a half century the thriving,towering Mound Bayon city was thestupendous fruitage.From the fifty model families who

first settled and laid the foundationof the village, the population had ex-panded to fifty thousand. They had laidthe foundation of their safety and pros-perity upon the four corner-stones ofrighteousness, temperance, economy andrace upbuilding. Admitting these basalelements of prosperity, it is not difficultto account for the prodig-ious wealth andsuccess of the experimental city. Its wallswere towering and so fortified againstthat foe which usually makes captors ofthe powerful and great that their founda-tions could not be undermined nor theirbattlements scaled by the arch invader,King Alcohol. No liquor traffic was al-lowed within the city and arrests for

20


27/78

A Sable Citydrunkenness were unusual occurrences,even during the Christmas season. Thepolice who did duty only throughout thenight did service more from obedience toorders than from the fear that the publicwelfare was endangered in any wise.Banks, jewelry stores and businesshouses needed no watchmen since burg-lars and thieves shunned the city or foundits approaching roadways and postedlaws of entrance or residence both for-bidding and rigidly impassable. Only asmall pro rata of whites were allowed toreside in the town and then only on con-dition that they take out license to restricttheir business within the limit of a cer-tain margin of prosperity in a statedtime. This particular restriction wasvaried, however, when the white manelected to unite in business corporationswith colored men, and in that event thathe be restrained from exercising a con-trolling share of the stock. This iron-cladrule was not established and enforced be-cause of prejudice against the whites, butas a safeguard against the defeat of the

21


28/78

Or Key To The Problemscheme to build an independent, idealNegro community, illustrative of therace's heart and brain in their best pro-ductiveness, unhampered or unaided bythe white man's genius except in an inci-dental wav.

22 I


29/78

A Sable City

CHAPTER III.CITY AND RACE JUBILEE PROPOSED.The first century of the race's freedom

was near its close and it was decided tocelebrate the event in connection with thegolden jubilee of the magic Negro city.To give eclat to the double anniversary,the black republics of Liberia, SanDomingo and Hayti made liberal pro-vision for representation of the peopleand government, feeling especial interestin the event because of their relation to thehistory and people involved. Nor werethe whites to be accused of indifferenceor opposition to the great event, for whileit meant the glory of the thirty millionsof sable-hued Americans, it involved thecredit of the nation that gave them citi-zenship and made it possible for them todemonstrate their powers of manhoodand race nobility. What the state failedto furnish in the way of liberal appropria-

23


30/78

Key To The Problem

tion on miserly and partisan grounds, wasmore than matched by the liberal outlayof Congress for the gigantic display ofNegro genius and possibilities. The thirtymillions voted by Congress for the Afro-American Centennial was fought bySouthern Congressmen on the groundthat the appropriation meant their en-dorsement of class legislation, which wascontrary to the letter and spirit of theConstitution as they construed it. Whilethey were in favor of the progress madeby the blacks since their emancipationand heartily endorsed the proposed ex-hibition which was intended to show theirdevelopment along industrial, mechanical,agricultural, intellectual and businesslines, unless they warped the plain statu-tory enactments from their recognizedapplications there was no way by whichthey could favor the measure. The moreradical among the Southern statesmen,true to the instinct of the former partyand generation, opposed the appropria-tion with much vehemence and all the in-fluence and adroitness they could muster,

24


31/78

A Sable Citybut the measure won over their head withqn overwhehiiing majority vote.

Those who championed the meas-ure on the floor of Cong^ress usedthe invincible argument that as apart of the national body politicthe Afro-American contingent had asstrong a claim upon the contents of thenation's treasury as any of the numerousrace-varieties whose blood coursedthrough the nation's veins and helped toconstitute its life. No more was askedfor in the appropriation invoked for thecolored citizens than was even more lib-erally granted to Irish and German-Americans in the recent exposition-swhich marked epochs in their respectivehistories. They insisted with telling ef-fect that the marvelous material progressof the countrv as a whole was due to theblack citizen's worth as laborers and thatthis truth applied with unqualified forceto the South. Subtract from the nation'swealth credit the revenue yielded fromrice, cotton, cane and tobacco culture inthe South and the shrinkage would be

25


32/78

Or Key To The Problem

fearful. Such a deduction would solower the prestige of the nation that itsstanding as a world power would be hope-lessly impa'ired. Out of sheer equity andconsistency the nation owed it to itself torecognize in an appreciable way the peo-ple who so largely constitute the sourceand mainstay of the stupendous materialshowing the country was able to make be-fore the world. It was also shown bythe champions of the appropriation billthat the enormous contributions of thedarker races who composed the nation'snew dependencies had enriched the gov-ernment more than a billion dollars intwo decades and that it was befitting thatthe nation indicate its gratitude by themoderate allowance asked for in the ap-propriation proposed. As a fitting cli-max, the leading speaker in support ofthe measure referred to the patriotismand valor of the colored man in everycrisis of the country's life, citing Attucks,who fell a martyr in the fight for Ameri-can independence ; Salem, at Bunker HillCarney, at Wagner ; Young and others atEl Caney and Santiago de Cuba.

26


33/78

A Sable CitySouthern Congressmen of the rabid,

fire-eating Tillman type had passed away,but the succeeding crop supplied in ad-herence to the traditions of the elderswhat they lacked in bluff and bluster ofthe blood and thunder variety. One ofthe belligerent class of Southern states-men mentioned courteously asked theprivilege of interrogating the speaker,who was in the midst of a most interest-ing and eloquent closing period. Thespeaker indicated a desire not to be in-terrupted at that juncture, but finallyyielded at the insistence of the inter-ruptor.

"Does the gentleman on the floor meanto give the impression that he is a believerin social equality betv-;een the whites andblacks?" The question did not in the leastd.'sconcert the speaker. His prompt andsilencing rejoinder was"When the warrant of time or the in-

terest of the discussion will justify it Iwill be pleased to reply to the gentlemanfrom Mississippi and give him an ade-quate reason for the faith maintained by

27


34/78

Key To The Problemthe speaker on this or any other subjectinvolving social rights and privileges."Amid the deafening- applause of his par-

tisan friends and the cheers of the moreliberal representatives of the counterparty t]]e champion advocate referred to'concluded his speech to the chagrin anddismay of the minority element who de-signed to weaken its force. The much-boasted chivalry of the Southern gentrywilted beyond recognition beneath theglowing reference made by the speaker tothe heroic conduct of the ex-slaves to thewhite population when the latter was ab-solutely at their mercy and at a timewhen the oppressor was striving withmain and might to more tightly bind thegyves and shackles upon tliem. Thesame fortitude that enabled these peopleto endure the horrors of bondage for cen-turies, to pass through the fires of perse-cution and the hell of outlawry and wide-spread race butcheries, had fortified themwith a forbearance and forgiveness well-nigh superhuman in scope and character.Time had demonstrated the wisdom of

28


35/78

A Sable Citytheir course and the triumph of theircause. Their descendants have lived tosee cities reared and temples of worshipand learning tower where once the hydrasof slavery and race hate and appallingignorance trailed their foul and slimyforms. They had entered the wildernessand like the nobler members of the Cau-casian group had transformed it into aparadise of homes and flourishing centers.They had risen from chatteldom to man-hood and could watch the superior for-tuned race in the most admirable speci-men of heart and brain productions.Their poets can sing with no less en-chanting sweetness than the bards ofGreece or England, while their artists canwield the brush and chisel with an easethat rivals an Orpheus or Angello. Inthe educational realm members of thisonce subject race now rank as masters,while the foremost one of this class willjut out in towering prominence above allothers of his day and race and country.When Harvard and Yale and Johns Hop-kins will have been obscured in forgetful-

29


36/78

Or Key To The Problemness Tuskegee and Wilberforce, coupledwith Payne and Washington, their sablefounders, will have just shed the ivyleaves of their ever verdant grandeur.While the world looks upon the efforts,achievements and renown of this ploddingindefatigable people with gratification andadmiration , it is a spectacle beggeringdescription that a paltry few who standastride the roadway of their pilgrimagein stubborn attitude, hug;ging the delusivehope of thereby arresting the chariot oftheir progress or thwarting it from itstrack of God-appointed destiny. In grant-ing the thirty million toward their centen-nial jubilee Congress proves itself equalto a high privilege no less binding thanits duty to a class in whose hands the na-tions life and honor are held as mostsacred jewels.The committee to whom the matter

was referred reported favorably upon itand Congress approved the same by anoverwhelming two-thirds vote. Withthis added thirty million appropriationfrom the government the Centennial Col-

30


37/78

A Sable Cityored Jubilee Commission was amply for-tified to make success of thebration event it had in hand.tified to make success of the gigantic cele-

3J


38/78

Key To The Problem

CHAPTER IV.MULTI-MILLIONAIRE APPROPRIATIONSThe colored capitalists of the Mound

City had formulated plans for the celebra-tion of the first golden anniversary oftheir city's life in connection with thelooth year of the race's emancipation.The program arranged for the occasionwas arrang-ed on a most elaborate scale.Not only were invitations extended to thenoted men and women of the race, but ittook in every known friend of the race inall the sections and a few distinguishedadvocates and champions of the Negro'scause from abroad. For five years thescheme of this surpassing event was un-der contemplation and outsiders no lessthan the local population talked anddreamed of its unqualified success. Thepopular subscription to the projectamounted to ten million five hundredthousand dollars, while the wealthy capi-

32


39/78

A Sable Citytalists pledged to donate a sum six timesas large as the sum paid in by the people.Congress, through the National LibertyParty, which grew out of the old Repub-lican party, had appropriated thirty mil-lions to the same project. The sum forthe exposition by this figure now reachedthe adequate and flattering amount ofmore than one hunderd million dollars.It was thought that one million dollarsfor each year of the race's history sinceits emancipation would not be too greatan investment in its jubilee centenary,and the inhabitants of the magic citycheerfully contributed its quota towardthe magnificent event. No one seemedaverse to the enterprise, for its successfulconsummation meant fame to the inves-tors and millions to the city coffers. Theexpenditure of this money was placed inthe hands of an executive committee fullycompetent to handle it in such a manneras to give general satisfaction and pro-duce the best results. A number of sub-committees were placed in charge of var-ious interests, such as agricultural, me-

33


40/78

Key To The Problemchanical, domestic, artistic, scientific, ani-mal and poultry exhibits, showing theprogress of the race during the first cen-tury of its freedom. The most invitingand picturesque land site was selected forthe exposition grounds and buildings andwas in easy reach of the city, both bysteam and electric railways, the latterleading to the main entrance within astone's throw of the AdministrationBuilding. Acres of humble two-roomcottao-es that cumbered the citv's subur-ban grounds gave place to the fairgrounds and its mammoth structures,their owners having been tendered lib-eral compensation for a two-year lease ofthe same and quarters for their occupantsbeing provided elsewhere. The peoplethat temporarily occupied the outlyingsuburban territory were quite unlike theircity neighbors both in history and aimand temperament. They were refugeesfrom lawless sections where the atmos-phere of race hate was unbearable. Thecommunity in which they lived formerlybecame dominated by a class of whites

34


41/78

A Sable Citywho persecuted the blacks less bitterlythan their ancestors, but who, while the_,no longer mobbed nor burnt them, stillcontrolled the courts and made it impos-sible for them to enjoy their civil rightsor dwell peaceably or secured in theirhomes. A sudden outbreak of this deadlyspirit drove thousands to abandon theirhomes and the majority sought the morecongenial confines of the thriving and his-toric Negro town. In their sudden ex-odus they had to sacrifice all their pos-sessions except what ready money andportable articleql they owmed. Thoughdistressed in circumstances these unfor-tunate refugees were received by theirmore fortiniate race neighbors and givena chance to try their fortune among thosewho knew what it was to feel the shaftsof race persecution. For fifty years theiron had entered into the souls of theirfathers and drove them to pitch their tentsinto the wilderness in search of a Canaanwhose soil would yield corn and wheat inplenty and whose streams would flow withmilk and wine. True to the high hopes

35


42/78

Key To The Problemand fondest dreams of these earlier racepioneers the fields were crowned withplenty and the years with goodness as theinhabitants more and more relied upontheir brain and muscles and adhered tothe God of their fathers. With temper-ance, co-operation, righteousness andeducation as main pillars in the structureof their unique city, it was but reasonableto surmise the success oftheir model com-munity. While the well pastored andflourishing churches and splendid insti-tutions of higher and lower grades re-flected the intellectual and moral life ofthe populace, their homes, business place?,clean streets, well-ordered parks, fire,police and water systems were living illus-trations of the genius and fitness ofthis virgin race for self-government andthe ability to work out their own salva-tion when left to themselves.

36


43/78

A Sable City

CHAPTER V.A WOMAN IN IT.

The mammoth Exhibition and Jnbileewas the theme of every tongue but thatof Eunice Montgomery and DouglassHayden Lewis. The tropical sun nevertinged and bronzed a lovlier humanbeauty than the former, the only daugh-ter of the oldest and wealthiest settler ofthe half-century-old town. The wealthand beauty of the fortune-crowned maid-en found chief expression in her culturedmind and royal spirit. Passing throughthe best schools of her native town andwith church credentials in testimony ofher Christian character 'she was warmlywelcomed by the president and faculty ofNew England's celebrated school forgirls, and by her brilliancy and winsome-,ness she was not long in securing a lead-ing place among its student ranks. Atthe social functions of the school she was

37


44/78

Key To The Problema drawing card and central figure as muchfor her brilliancy and bon mot qualitiesas for her prepossessing beauty. Thoughexposed to the seductive influences per-culiar to institutions which exalt erudi-tion and mental finesse above the spiritualvirtues, Eunice Montgomery placed noless stress upon her Christian honor thanupon her scholastic standing. With asplendid class record supplemented by thebenediction of an ever approving relig-ious conscience, the five years' enlistmentsoon sped among the things of the pastand the successful and beloved WellesleyCollege girl of color became numberdwith its extensive and ever-growingalumnae.The five summers of Eunice's college

life fled by as swift as the flight of fairiesand as lightly as their dreams. Her va-cation months were pleasantly whiledaway in Boston at the home of a relativewhose daughter was a close companionand college chum. Not until the vacationseason of her junior year did she yield tothe attractions of social life in the Hub,

38


45/78

A Sable Cityfor prior to this the evenings were spentusually in literary recreation at homewhen not exploring the beautifully illumi-nated and wonderful labyrinthian sub-ways, and suburban wayside by fascinat-ing trolley rides. The days were usuallyspent in visits to such historic places asFaneuil Hall, Old South Church andHarvard College, or such romantic pointsas the Willows, Nantasket-by-the-Sea,Melville Garden and the like. Frequent-ly during the earlier morning hours shecould be found in some corridor of thefar-famed public library poring oversome rare piece of literary treasure orlost in the contemplation of some creationof the masters in painting or sculpture orstatuary. It was during oue of thesequiet diversions that an incident occurredwhich gave rise to the romance of thepresent chapter and formed the majorlink in the chain of events which causedthe mighty centennial and city event ofher Southern home to pale into minor in-terest by its side.

39


46/78

Key To The Problem

CHAPTER VI.A MAGIC ROMANCE.

The crowning event of Douglass Hay-den Lewis was soon to take place and theprincely private car of the railroad mag-nate millionaire, , was athis disposal. The son of the railroadking and Douglass were fast collegefriends and the bond between them be-came sacredly confirmed, despite thefruitless effort of the latter to save hislife in a runaway accident. Returningfrom a polo game one afternoon as thechums were nearing the college grounds,a hug-e red-colored automobile suddenlydashed around the corner and its furiousspeed and puffing noise so frightened thehorse of young that he rearedand slipped and fell upon the ridercausing almost instant death. The steedof Douglass was more controllable. Theathletic, agile rider grasped the reins as

40


47/78

A Sable Citythe horse of his chum rose upward, butwas scarcely able to break the force of thefall. Seeing the tragic result of theirreckless driving the occupants of theflaming machine steered to the bleedingvictim and assisted Douglass in liftinghis limp and quivering form to a seat ofcomfort. The sinking victim was hur-riedly conveyed to the college hospitaland the parents notified by wireless mes-sage of the sad occurrence. They reachedthe bedside of their only boy in time tosee him breathe his last. Despite the lux-ury and comforts of the home of thewealthy pair at Brookline, the deathangel's rustling wings and the vacantchair left an ever-aching void that wealthand fortune could never fill. As the sea-sons returned with periodical remindersof the fatal happening, the bereaved pairwould decorate the tomb of their sleepingscion and take ship or private car to les-sen their grief through travel. The onlyworthy wearer of the dead collegian'smantle in the eyes of the parents wasDouglass Hayden Lewis. In honor of

41


48/78

Key To The Problem

the departed the bereaved parents consid-ered no attention to the surviving chumtoo costly and a's the magnificent privatecoach was not in use its princely servicewas tendered the favored candidate formatrimonial honors in the distant South.

42


49/78

A Sable City

CHAPTER VII.FORTUNE AND CUPID CROWNED.

Douglass Lewis had felt the cheerytouch of golden days oft and again in hisyouth and early manhood, but the morn-ing of June 30th surpassed the bestrecord of all his former joyous days. Itwa's not his wedding day, but the prelim-inary date introductory to the glad event.Highland Garnett Payne was his fastfriend, having succeeded to that post ofcredit since the death of his college chum,was of invaluable aid in arranging the de-tails of the eventful trip and its crown-ing purpose. Besides the charming sis-ter, mother and handy brother of thegroom-elect a select party of Boston'supper tendom set, five whites includedamong them, were 'snugly berthed in theelegantly furnished and swell privatecoach labelled "Lux" one of the latest andrichest outputs of the Pullman shops. As

43


50/78

Key To The Problemthe train rolled lazily out of the UnionDepot the conservative onlookers thatthronged the platform "rubbered" andstared in astonishment at the dazzling,breath-taking spectacle, while the uncon-ventional group of newsboys silenced thepuffing noise of the retreating enginewith repeated peals of lusty cheer's.

"Gee whiz ! ain't she a beaute," shouteda vociferous fledgling of the gang."Must be the Prince of India wid his

travelling train," echoed another."Ah, snuff yer gas pipes. Shut up yer

hot-air brake. Don't cher know the richold guy w^ot's big kid got killed by thehorse wot throwed him from de fright ofde red devil dat's suddenly turned de cor-ner. De Harvard College guy, I mean."A chorus of agreement followed andthe leader of the newsboys' brigade con-tinued. *"De feller''s dad is de one wot owns de

fine rig, 'cause I've seen him take folks init wid me own lookers many a time.Don't cher guys mind the name yer seedon the rig."

44


51/78

A Sable CityThe interest in the incident having ter-

minated as the magnificent carrier fadedout of sight, the merry news vendersmade the morning air echo with shoutsof:

"Globe and Herald, Colored American,Transcript, Advertiser. New York andProvidence papers. One cent. All aboutthe fire at Tremont Temple."From Boston to New York the jour-

ney was marked by no particular inter-est, save the merry pastime of the happy-hearted party. A delay of ten minutesat Hartford Junction, due to the tardi-ness of the Boston Limited, was wellspent in a wholesome after-lunch-eon exercise. The well-appointed car hadevery convenience necessary to comfortand a button had only to be touched tosecure the attention needed. The com-missary department was stocked withedibles and beverages, liquors excepted,more than equal to the demand of a threedays' itinerary and suitable to the vagar-ies of the most fastidious appetite. Thecooks, porters and waiters knew their

45


52/78

Key To The Problembusiness and everything worked in apple-pie order until the dividing line betweenthe upper and lower geographical regionwas reached on the journey Southwardjust beyond the nation's capital. Fromthe restful sleep of the previous night theparty awoke refreshed. The greater partoccupied seats in the observation car andtook in scenes of the Southern landscapesand way'side objects while waiting forbreakfast, while a few found greaterpleasure in occupying seats at writing-desks preparing letters for friends left be-hind. Lewis, with Payne and ArthurGarrison, one of the white guests, andbrother of Miss Montgomery's classmate,who was one of the wedding party, pacedthe platform outside as the train tarriedat the next 'station for v/ater and a freshsupply of fuel. As the trio thus occupiedthemselves they soon attracted the gazeof curious hangers-on, whites and col-ored, who were still slaves of the habit ofgreeting passing trains as generations oftheir ancestors did. The sight of thejnagnificent coach, its mixed outfit of

46


53/78

A Sable Cityfine looking passengers, visible throughthe uplifted curtains and windows fromthe outside, together with the easy famil-iarity of the motley party referred to, sonon-plussed the self-appointed delegationof "Cracker" whites and sable loungersthat they seemed lost for expression for themoment. While the blacks grinned andthe "Crackers" scowled as if awe-strickenat the spectacle of "social ecjuality," thecar party inside ecjually at a loss to ac-count for what greeted their visions inthe land through which they were buttransient passengers.A number of colored gamins formed apart of the early delegation that serenad-ed the southbound train and furnished en-tertainment to a number of drummers ina novel, heartless way. The local whiteslined up together leaving elbow room forthe idle blacks to enjoy the sport. At in-tervals a penny would be tossed in theair so as to fall in a water puddle near therailway track and the lucky scramblerwho could get it would be cheered by theonlookers. The blacks indicated pleasure

47


54/78

Key To The Problem

at the sport only with broad grins, shrug-ging their shoulders and hoJding theirsides for fear of offending the superiorloafers with a seeming violation of thetraditions of "'social equality." The partyfrom the windows of the handsome spec-ial did not relish the barbarous entertain-ment as the others, for they immediatelydrew down the curtains. This act,coupled with expressions of protest fromthe Boston trio, drew the attention of thecrowd to the representatives of an obnox-ious civilization and the shout of thestern-voiced conductor, "All aboard!"was a relief to the situation uttered nonetoo soon. After this incongruous episodenothing occurred to cross-grain the har-mony of the trip until Atlanta wasreached next morning and the special wasside-tracked two hours to make connec-tion with the southwestern fiyer due atnoon.

48


55/78

A Sable City

CHAPTER VIII.NEARING THE GOAL.

The gorgeous special was switched atthe Yazoo Junction next morning earlyand taken in charge by the colored con-ductor operating between that point andthe renowned Negro city fifty milesaway. Three other special coaches await-ed the early schedule. A delegation ofrelatives and friends supplemented bycommittees on behalf of the citizens andthe great Centennial Fair gave cordialwelcome to the Eastern visitors and for-eign guests. Wonderment and gratifica-tion were expressed on every side. Thesaible official outfit that manned the trainfrom fireman to conductor seemed elatedover the Jubilee event and its bountifuloutcome in its first installment. Thenews of the special car and its inmateshad been flashed ahead and it was easy todistinguish its occupants from the Pull-

49


56/78

Key To The Problemman passengers, although they were alikedistinguished for commanding appear-ance.. The conductor, a portly, genial-looking, brown-skinned official, as heopened the staterooms and entered the ob-servation car end of the "Lux" coach tocollect tickets from the pas'sengers, couldnot suppress the pride, delight and amaze-ment that struggled for mastery in histhoughts and feelings. Though evidentlycarried awa}- by the bewitching magnifi-cence of the special carrier, he was moredeeply impressed with the rich and cul-tured company aboard, but especiallywith the imposing figure of DouglassHayden Lewis, its mo'st conspicuousmember. As he stood punching thetickets handed by the future bridegroomhe could not restrain the impulse to greetthe Eastern visitor with a nodof admissible recognition and askedpardon if he was mistaken intaking him for the hero of the matri-monial event of the succeeding evening.The blushing benedict-to-be handed theconductor his card with a modest bow,

50


57/78

A Sable Citywhich the official compensated with oneof his own and a copy of the Mound CityMorning News, which contained an elab-orate program of the great city 'silverevent and the International Jubilee, to-gether with a well written notice of thewedding and the dazzling personnel ofthe affair. The train made but a singlestop before reaching its final destination.As it thundered along it was diffiicult todifferentiate or identify passing objectsby the wayside, but the towering impos-ing forms of the huge Fair buildingsloomed up with increasing size andgrandeur, until the big spurting locomo-tive was brought to a standstill within a>:tone's throw of the main entrance lead-ing to the entrancing and extensive ex-position grounds. Thrift, enterprise andbusiness teemed on every side, greetingthe eyes and ringing in the ears of the pas-sengers as they emerged from the trainthrough the station into the streets of therecord-eclipsing new Afro-American city.Hotel agents teeming in great numbersand drivers of hacks, 'buses and automo-

51


58/78

Key To The Problembiles and other vehicles plied their geniusseductively as far as city ordinanceswould permit in capturing new-comersfrom the incoming trains. The Bostonguests were spared this boring gamut,for the special advance committee hadtaken them in charge at the junction asalready stated. Mayor Montgomery'shandsome auto wagon was in waiting atthe 'side entrance to the station and thebest girl of his daughter, the bride-elect'scollege chum and three of the white pas-sengers from the Hub, were hurriedlywheeled to the mammoth mansion of thevenerable City Father. Douglass and theother associate guests were conducted toelegant suites of rooms at the L'OvertureHotel, the leading hostelry of the place.In the afternoon an automobile drive wasenjoyed by all save the man whosethoughts and interest centered in a mat-ter of greater and graver moment. Othersmight regale themselves with sight-see-ing and taking in the novel revelations ofthe unique community, but it was up toDouglass to face the music and keep time

52


59/78

A Sable Citywith the fitness of other things. He wasa helpless prisoner of Cupid, and a sightof the human cause of his heart's undoinghe longed and eagerly yearned to see thatafternoon ere the noose of Hymen closedaround his neck.The golden Jubilee of Mound City fol-lowed close upon the heels of the Lewis-

Montgomery matrimonial event. Asmight be expected the latter was a mostelaborate and surpassing affair of itskind. To describe its details is to addnothing of value to the narrative, hencewe take leave of the shadow and give thesubstance in order to gratify the curiosityand yield instruction to the reader. Theceremony was performed at the People'sTemple in the presence of a shining as-semblage of guests and spectators. Theinterior of the building usually impressiveto the beholder for its simple beauty wasdecorated for the occasion and expres'seda solemn grandeur that was heightenedby the rich and deep-toned weddingmarch evoked from the pipe organ atwhich a queenly graduate of the Boston

53


60/78

Key To The ProblemConservatory of Music presided.The Bishop of the district assisted by

the pastors of the contracting' partiesunited the paii at the altar. The ritesperformed, the gorgeously decorated par-lors of the Montgomery mansion becamethe 'subsequent scene of the brilliant wed-ding. Congratulations, festivities andmusic poured their choicest incense at thefeet of the lovely pair. Crowns of bene-diction were woven from the kisses andgood cheers of the friends and earlymates of the bride and placed by tenderhands upon the brows of the jubilantcouple. The cup of happiness flowed inunstinted fulness that merry weddingevening, but the inspiration was not fromwine nor bacchanalian liquid in any form.This could not be, for Mound City was astrictly temperance, yea prohibition town,and the man its most distinguished ruler,whose daug-hter with her fullest consentand pleasure, was turned over to thegraces and affections of another man. Itwas not difficult to identify the happiestquartette among the hymenial throng.

54


61/78

A Sable CityThe ex-Mayor, his wife, who was thestep-mother of his newly-married daugh-ter, the latter and her noble husband eas-ily betrayed the fact that of all the as-semliled host they were the most favoredand interested ones. Narrowing thegroup to a more limited circle, Eunice andDouglass bore away the sceptre, as theywere the sovereigns of the realm thatnight, their relatives and admiringguests only reflecting their emittedradiance.

55


62/78

Key To The Problem

CHAPTER IX.THE city's golden EVENT.

The magnificent wedding event beingover, the next immediate afifair of com-manding interest was the contents of thecity's Jubilee program. The benedict andhis lovely bride were in splendid trim toappreciate the wealth of wonder con-nected with this event and the grand Cen-tennial World's Fair. While the appear-ance of the latter in public during theweek was forbidden by the convention-alities of good taste and custom, suchtechnicalities did not apply to her hus-band and the rest of the circle of friends.The royal wedding breakfast, the bracingair and the golden June morning ladenwith the beauty of the town's anniversarydress and the intoxicating fragrance weresufficient stimulants for the enjoyment ofevery one. With Douglas's Lewis there

56


63/78

A Sable Citywas an additional stimulus in the pieceof paper placed as a surprise under hiswife's plate by her father before break-fast. It was a check for one round mil-lion dollars, a gift without any conditionsf1 om the donor. This unexpected largessefurnished additional relish for the futurein the benedict's thoughts, as he wasthereby more fully prepared to enter uponthe order of the day as arranged by thecity's executive committee on entertain-ment to the eminent visiting guests.A royal outfit of carriages and auto-mobiles was announced in waiting at the

side entrance of the Mayor's mansion.The father, son and two ladies of the Bos-ton party took seats in the self-propellingmachine while others occupied the opencarriages. It was two hours before thepageantry would move according to theelaborate program arranged for the oc-casion. There was ample time for theparty to make a rapid tour of the city,taking in its principal points of interestand be in their seats at the grand reviewstand by eleven of the towering town

57


64/78

Key To The ProblemI

clock, whose clanging tongue and massivehands told the successive hours, whethernear or far, by day or night.The party rode leisurely to the city

square, where beautiful fountains spurtedtheir silvery sprays across variegatederass lawns. In the trees and stuntedshrubbery birds flitted and squirrelssported as if they too were animated bythe spirit of the Jubilee week. Whatnature did not furnish to enrich the cen-tral park was amply supplied in sweetmusic furnished by the park band and inthe teeming works of art. "Old Glory,"buntings, garlands of roses, festoons offlowers floating from trees or streamingfrom temporary scaffoldings furnished amagnificent spectacle. Only a few mo-ments were spent in scanning the impos-ing picture.The beholders thought the spectacle

cjuite as rich and fascinating as that fur-nished by the public gardens of Bostonand in some respects superior. It was ar-ranged that the most convenient of thepublic circles be taken in and a drive

58


65/78

A Sable Citythrough Liberia Avenue with a bird's-eye-view of the business section of thecity, which would exhaust the margin oftime left before the displays of the daybegan. The broad asphalt-covered streetsof the residence section and the three-rowed shade trees on Liberia Avenue, thecity's leading thoroug-hfare, did not failto afford life-material for the pen, ko-daks and brushes of the Eastern sight-seers. The pictures of thrift, push, enter-prise and progress of the infant race andpeople were eye-openers as they met theirgaze on every hand. That the beholdersshould become inspired as they took inthe endless wonders of architecture, taste,genius and wealth reflected from publicbuildings, private dwellings, beautifulstreets and parks and monuments goeswithout the statement. The colored visi-tors were lost for utterances in the face ofthe towering object les'sons of their peo-ple's progress. Their white companionsshared the emotion kindled by the pic-tures outlined. They were children ofthe East and were descendents of aboli-

59


66/78

Key To The Problemtionist stock. Their ancestors were full-orbed and broad-guaged touching thedogmas of Negro equality and humanbrotherhood and the children wore theirmantle with natural ease and dignity.The sight-seeing drive which embraced

the suburbs with its humbler race popu-lation served as a sort of spiritual andmental appetizer for the revelations togreet the city's guests from the command-ing station of the grand stand. The partyreached headquarters a few minutes inadvance of the scheduled time and weregiven right of way by an advanced guardof police whose massive forms sufficed tomove and menace the throng that blockedthe entrance and to the review 'stand andmade standing room almost impossiblefor miles along the lines of the proces-sion.The pageantry was picturesque, stir-

ring and bordering on the spectacular.As section after section of mountedguards, uniformed officials, civilians,professional's, mechanics, business men,and common and skilled laborers filed by

60


67/78

A Sable Citythe grand stand cheers rose in volleysfrom the throats of the onlookers, whilewaving of kerchiefs and clapping ofhands expressed the emotions of the bet-ter favored occupants of reserved seats.

The personnel of the turnout evokedthe loudest demonstrations. The unin-itiated might be tempted to surmise thatthe color line was drawn, as black horsesbearing princely riders or drawing mag-nificent vehicles loomed up in panoramicreview. The selection of dark coloredsteeds and the predominance of swarthycolors as far as was consistent and feas-ible was meant simply to emphasize andcapitalize the pre-eminence of this ele-ment in the development and success of astupendous race idea, the success ofwhich had passed the stage of experi-ment.

It took six hours for the resplendentparade to pass a given point. There wasnothing in the fifty years' life of the citythat it did not illustrate in floats, tableauxand pyrotechnical displays during the dayor night for the period of a week. The

61


68/78

Key To The Problemdisplays would have been more costlyand extensive in scope had it not beenunderstood that it was in no wise to han-dicap the overmastering event of the Cen-tennial Race Fair, to which the CityJubilee was but a modest pointer. Thelocal celebration reached its finality onFriday, when a barbeque dinner, speech-makmg and outdoor exhibition of sportswa's tendered the populace and a grandbanquet to the distinguished guests. Atthe banquet various toasts were re-sponded to, but none were characterizedby greater brilliancy and eloquence or metwith larger appreciation than the speechesof Mr. Lewis and the Rev. Dr. Garrisonof Boston,

62


69/78

A Sable City

CHAPTER X.A century's offering.

The magnitude, contents and magnifi-cence of the First Negro World's Exposi-tion and Centennial Jubilee must requirethe widest stretch of the imagination toeven faintly appreciate that record-beat-ing event. A 'slight idea of the scope andextent of the display can be gleaned fromthe fact that its site embraced about twothousand acres with twenty giganticstructures whose architectural design per-sonified the picturesque and beautiful.The contour of the site was marked byfive irregularly located and gently slop-ping elevations, relics of the mound build-ing epoch, similar in shape and magnitudeto the four which outlined the rectangu-lar outskirts of the city. When enteringthe grounds from the northern cornercontiguoiis to the city, the eyes of the

63


70/78

Key To The Problemvisitor falls upon an imposing boulevardwhose gradual upward winding ends ina rounded eminence at the center of thegrounds. Facing the grand boulevardand entrance is the Administration Build-ing-, a veritable architectural wonder.A main picture of central location isthe cataract garden. Its slope from thecommanding locality occupied is enliv-ened by five great cascades and numerousterraces which give life and poetry to thepicture. A huge basin rests at the baseof the cascades, forming a part of thelagoon system. But details must not beattempted as casual descriptions of out-lines will suffice.

Palaces of Religion, of Art, of Educa-tion, of Liberal Arts, of Manufacture, ofMachinery, of Electricity, of Transporta-tion, of Agriculture, of Horticulture, ofMines and Metallury, of Forestry, of So-cial Economy, of Live Stock, of Interna-tional Congress, of Anthropology dottedthe grounds on every side. Six alliedand sympathetic countries having Negroor dark-skinned population in response to

64


71/78

A Sable Cityinvitations tendered had buildings inkeeping with their rank as nations, bothas to outward appearance and inner ex-hibits. The picture of the aggregatedbuildings, palaces and museums presentedan imposing spectacle to w;hich a richnesswas added to the uniform color of thebrown and saffron-like granite whichconstituted their material. With two ex-ceptions the Haitian Palace was builtfrom the mahogany and granite takenfrom native soil. The African Museumwas constructed from ebony, ivory andmarble taken from its soil, woods and ele-phants, and trimmed artistically and withrich effects with minerals from her fer-tile mines.The Exposition was a marvel of won-

der and magnificence to all who beheldits splendors of whatever land or clime.Its material, mental and ethical side alikereflected the capacity of the descendantsof the Dark Continent for such servicesas Heaven has ordained for the embel-lishment of earth and the betterment ofeach and all the varied branches of humankind.

65


72/78

Key To The ProblemDuring the twelve months of its hold-

ings the gates of the great Fair gave wel-come to representatives of every national-ity under the sun. Every giadation ofsunburnt humanity was there from theFetische idolators to princes and poten-tates of Africa to presidents and dignitar-ies of other lands.As to the outcome of the mammoth en-terprise it might be classed as in everysense successful. Financially it rewardedits stockholders handsomely and justifiedthe fabulous sums involved by ample re-turns. LOfC.

FINIS.

nr>


73/78


74/78


75/78


76/78


77/78


78/78

Henry Theodore Johnson--Key to the Problem ([1904])

Documents

Transcript of Henry Theodore Johnson--Key to the Problem ([1904])